Habibur Rehman appointed as MD OPF

ISLAMABAD: Habibur Rehman Khan Director General Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment has been transferred and posted as Managing Director (MD) Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF). While Iftikhar Hussain Babar Managing Director OPF, a BS-21 officer of DMG has been transferred and posted as additional Secretary, Economic Affairs Division. The Establishment Division has already issued notification in respect of both the officers.Habibur Rehman Khan had earlier served as Managing Director OPF and after his transfer posted as Director General Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment in June 2011. He hails from Lukky Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is a hardworking and competent officer and is known for his integrity. During his tenure the record number of Pakistani workers had proceeded abroad mostly to the Middle Eastern countries for employment which is evident from the available record as during his first year of posting in 2011, 456,893 persons had proceeded abroad for employment and this number had increased and jumped to 638,584 in year 2012.During the year 2013, 622,714 persons had proceed abroad for employment whereas during last six months of his tenure in 2014 till June, 381,428 persons had proceeded abroad for employment and if this trend continues, it is expected the number of outgoing emigrants will cross the figure of 700,000 by the end of the year. The rapid increase in export of manpower in the past few years had direct impact in boosting the economic condition of the country and the record amount of foreign exchange was also remitted by the overseas Pakistanis during these years due to this rapid increase in the flow of export of manpower. The officers and staff of OPF and its allied institutions welcomed the decision of the government on the appointment of Habibur Rehman Khan and are optimistic the OPF would be run in a more professional manner for the betterment of the Overseas Pakistanis and their dependents in Pakistan due to the past performance and his past experience in handling the affairs of OPF.